Chapter 136

Willow greeted Nicolas with a graceful smile and said, “What brings you here today, Nicolas?”

Willow gracefully lifted the pot and poured Nicolas a steaming cup of coffee, her movements gentle and attentive.

Nicolas had no choice but to withdraw his hand and sat down across from her. He said, “I should’ve visited you sooner, but I’ve been swamped with official business. I finally got some free time today.”

With that, Nicolas drew a small box from the folds of his robe and placed it on the table. “Open it. Do you like what you see?”

Willow picked up the box and opened it, only to find a delicate case of blusher inside.

Willow’s face lit up with delight. She brought the blusher close to her nose, taking in its fragrance, then nodded eagerly. “I love it. Anything you give me, Nicolas, I’ll always cherish.”

Seeing Willow act so adorably, Nicolas couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “You’re not a little girl anymore, you know. In just a few days, you’ll be married into the Osborne family.”

Nicolas let out a soft sigh, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “How time flies. You’re already getting married.”

Willow grinned and said with a laugh, “Nicolas, you’re starting to sound just like Mother. Even after I’m married, I’ll always be your little sister.”

Nicolas’s gaze flickered momentarily, his expression growing distant for a brief instant. Then, Nicolas let out a light chuckle. “You’re right. There’s one more thing I need your help with.”

Willow immediately straightened up attentively, her eyes shining with anticipation as she looked at Nicolas. “Just say the word, Nicolas. If it’s within my power, I’ll make sure to get it done for you.”

“Let’s hurry up with the fireworks workshop—the year-end is almost here,” Nicolas said.

Willow gave a knowing smile and said, “Even if you hadn’t come looking for me, I was planning to report my progress to you. I’ve already gathered all the materials. By year’s end, I’ll have a variety of fireworks ready. I won’t let you down.”

Nicolas heaved a sigh of relief. “I knew it—Willow, you’re the most capable of us all. Whether our family can turn things around this time depends entirely on you.”

Willow promised, “Don’t worry, Nicolas. People always set off fireworks on New Year’s Eve, but the usual ones are just too plain and uninspired.”

“The fireworks I’ve made can change colors and display dazzling patterns—they’ll definitely help you steal the show at the palace party.”

“Very good.” Nicolas burst into laughter. “Willow, you are so amazing, always full of bright ideas. No wonder Mother dotes on you so much. It even makes me a little jealous.”

Willow’s eyes gleamed with shrewd confidence as she grinned at Nicolas. “Don’t you worry about a thing, Nicolas. I’ve got this.”

After seeing off Gale, Athena headed straight to the southern manor. She brought along a bundle of medicinal herbs and a special ointment for treating wounds.

When Athena arrived, she found Macy slowly eating her pasta.

Macy ate with excruciating slowness, each bite of pasta taking an eternity to swallow.

Fortunately, the maid was extremely attentive. Whenever she noticed sauce dribbling from Macy’s lips, she would gently wipe it clean.

Today, Macy had her hair neatly brushed and changed into a fresh, clean outfit, with the maid’s assistance.

Seeing Macy’s gradual recovery day by day, Athena finally felt her sense of guilt lessen slightly.

Athena entered with Trina in tow and called out softly, “Hi, Macy.”

Macy looked up, her eyes lighting up with joy at the sight of Athena. Struggling to form words, she managed to whisper, “Lady Athena-”

Macy struggled to rise, but Athena quickly motioned for her to stay. “Don’t move. Just stay seated.”

“Here, let me do it,” Athena said with a gentle smile as she took the bowl from the maid.

The maid handed the bowl to Athena before quietly withdrawing.

The bowl held steaming soup, giving off a light, comforting fragrance.

Athena scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it gently, and held it to Macy’s lips. “Here, open up,” she said softly.

Macy’s face filled with alarm as she weakly shook her head. She shook her head and waved her hands in protest, tears streaming down her face.

Athena gently wiped Macy’s face with a handkerchief, her eyes reddening. “You always took care of me before. Now it’s my turn to look after you. Be good, will you? My hands are getting sore.”

Tears still glistening in her eyes, Macy finally lowered her head and took small, careful sips of the soup.

After the meal, Athena carefully helped Macy up and guided her to sit on the divan.

Athena examined Macy’s severed tendons. The injury had been left untreated for far too long. But luckily, this was nothing Athena couldn’t handle.

Athena said gently, “Macy, you need to eat well and regain your strength, okay? Only then can I fix your hand.”

Macy’s eyes widened in astonishment, as if she couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing.

Athena smiled reassuringly at Macy. “Trust me. I promise I’ll make you whole again.”

Macy nodded firmly, her eyes shining with unwavering trust. Macy signed to Athena, “Even if you can’t heal me, I won’t be disappointed.”

Macy thought to herself, ‘As long as I can stay by her side, I’d have no regrets even if I died tomorrow.’

Though Athena didn’t understand sign language, she could interpret what Macy was trying to say.

Day after day, Athena shuttled between the Southalley and the duke’s estate.

Macy’s health steadily improved, and smiles returned to her face.

Apart from still being a little afraid of strangers, Macy was doing much better these days.

With Athena’s treatment, Macy’s hand gradually regained its ability to grasp.

To help Macy recover faster, Athena assigned her a rehabilitation exercise, sorting soybeans.

Every day, Macy was assigned a rehabilitation exercise, picking up a thousand soybeans one by one with a fork to strengthen her hand muscles.

At first, Macy couldn’t even manage to pick up a hundred soybeans.

Frustrated tears welled up in Macy’s eyes as she stubbornly forwent food and sleep, determined to finish picking up every last soybean.

But haste makes waste—without proper rest, her injuries couldn’t possibly heal.

Athena came over to comfort Macy gently. “I know you want to recover quickly, but healing doesn’t happen overnight. You have to take it slow, okay?”

Chapter 156

"I'm so sorry Athena." Macy stammered, her eyes brewing with guilt. She wanted to tell Athena the truth as soon as possible

"But with my hands, I can't even hold a pen," Macy cursed inwardly.

"Alright, no more of this," Athena said partly as she set the medicine down again and turned to leave. "I'll come check on you in a few days.”

Macy suddenly let out a strangled cry. Panic flashing in her eyes, she stared at Athena and, struggling to speak, gasped, “Be careful.”

Athena smiled reassuringly at her and said, “I’ll be careful.”

Lately, besides looking after Macy, Athena had also made frequent visits to check on Ferris.

Ever since their engagement was finalized, Ferris had been sticking to her more and more.

Honestly, if Ferris went even a single day without seeing Athena, he acted like a sulky child.

It wasn’t until Athena showed up with pastries to coax him that Ferris would finally crack a smile.

Athena couldn’t help but shake her head. ‘He’s such a child sometimes,’ she thought.

Athena had just learned to make some new pastries today, so she took them over to Ferris.

“Get out.” The moment Athena stepped into Ferris’s courtyard, a furious roar erupted from inside. His voice seethed with rage and hatred as objects crashed to the floor. The sharp crash of shattering porcelain rang out.

Athena’s heart skipped a beat. She hurried into the courtyard just as a man emerged from Ferris’s room. A roguish smirk played on his lips, tainted with sinister undertones.

His eyes lit up at the sight of Athena. With a sly, teasing grin, he drawled, “Well, if it isn’t Ferris’s lovely fiancée.”

“What a pretty face. But I wonder if what’s under those clothes lives up to my imagination.” He sized Athena up and down with a leering grin, lips curling into a suggestive smirk. As he spoke, he tried to get handsy with Athena.

But just as his hand reached out, a sharp numbness shot through his knees, and he collapsed to his knees before Athena.